In brief: Operating income soars at Swedish

Operating income at Swedish Covenant Hospital increased nearly fivefold for the fiscal second quarter that ended March 31, rising to $3.2 million from $680,000 during the year-earlier period, according to a new financial statement. Total revenue increased to $138.8 million in 2013, an 8.6 percent increase, from $127.8 million in 2012, helped by lower uncollectible accounts. Expenses climbed 6.7 percent, to $135.6 million in 2013, from $127.1 million in 2012. The financial results are due to the 313-bed Northwest Side safety-net hospital improving its market position across several service lines, including cardiovascular, orthopedics and neurosurgery, a spokeswoman said in a statement. That's been part of the hospital's strategy to attract more patients, since it relies heavily on government health care programs.

MetroSouth seller sues buyer

The venture that saved MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island from closing and later flipped it for $40 million has sued the buyer, a subsidiary of Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems Inc. MSMC Investors LLC, which is backed by Harrison, N.Y.-based private-equity firm Falcon Investors LLC, seeks to prevent Community Health from claiming $1.2 million in money it received from the state, according to a complaint filed May 6 in Cook County Circuit Court. Community Health isn't entitled to the money, which is due to MSMC, the complaint says. A managing partner for the venture and a spokeswoman for Community Health did not return messages seeking comment. The venture also is suing Blue Island to obtain $2.5 million in unpaid public subsidies.

Evanston retirement home plans conversion

Chicago-based Alden Network wants to convert its 99-bed retirement community in Evanston to a facility of entirely skilled-nursing beds, according to an application filed with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, which must approve the change. The facility, 2520 Gross Point Road in the near north suburb, now has 58 skilled-nursing beds and 41 beds for sheltered care, where residents receive help with bathing, dressing and meal preparation. The residents who occupy 21 of those beds are “aging out” and are likely to need nursing care within the year, the application says. A spokeswoman for Alden Network did not return calls to comment.